Now I rarely go but it seems a better choice than hitting the boulangerie. And I've always wanted to stop in Les Editeurs. An early dip gave me courage.

And a coffee and croissant didn't look so steep.

I could pretend to draw or something.

Inside is glorious, tres chic.

I know zip about coffee even though I once visited Cafes Richard's coffee plant near La Defense and I've painted a mountain of coffee cups.

Ordering a cafe creme is not the done thing evidently but an espresso would have me spinning.

So I had to get the 'Petit' Petit Dejeuner. Sometimes you really miss being a carefree tourist in Paris, back when you didn't have to think about electric bills etc.

*By the way I forgot to mention I FELL MADLY IN LOVE IN VERSAILLES!

With this 17th century-style type face. It was on the awning of the worst possible tourist snack bar but so what. It's pretty fabulous no?

Even if I don't know how to order coffee in a Paris cafe.

I know how to get out my pen and start scribbling like a possessed calligraphiemaniac.

The waiter was very forgiving when he saw my attempts at French script.

The typeface on the windows at Les Editors is tres elegant.

And even better when you flop it to get the full effect.

Outside I kept seeing French script. Just look at that S! It's classy.

At Monop I swooned over these cans of Cassoulet. That's what happens when you fall hard for a typeface in Versailles. And it helps you cope with Paris' irresistible pastries. There are worst things that can happen no?

Seeing Paris just before Dawn is worth getting up and out. Love the cup and pitchers for the hot chocolate. I have a weakness for tea and coffee sets. French script is on a lot of french decorating here. Have a good day.

That's it isn't French coffee cups are out of this world I would have spent a fortune to have Breakies at Les Comptoir accross the street - beautiful big checkered cups to die for...for hotel residents only evidently...

I love all that gorgeous script too. It's heating bills that prevent me from going to visit Paris for awhile, but Boston awaits (I know, it's not Paris)...Love your glimpses of the city & your delight at living there...

You reminded me of how wonderful it is to get up and out at dawn in Paris.You may have your eye on the electric bill, Carol, but you are richer and more life-affirming than all the 'Koch Brother' type billionaires put together. Seriously.

Wow! That pre-dawn view is almost enough to get me up early .... what is going on at les piscenes during the off-hours? Team swim practice?Love your nostalgia for your old tourist days! And as for your comment about pretending to draw...I am so self-conscious about drawing in public, I would be tempted to pretend to eat while drawing !!!!

Carol, I love these views of what it is to be a morning person in Paris.

I smiled at your reference to "pretending to draw" ... you draw so beautifully, I cannot imagine how you pretend to draw. xo

Laduree has now opened on West Broadway. The manager brought us a sampling box of macarons. Very sweet gesture. Even with all our winter chill and snow and ice, folks are queuing up outside on the sidewalk to gain entry to that pistachio green box of magic.

Love sitting by the clock at Les Editeurs and engaging in conversation with neighbors. The warmth of the room, the red, the books. Nothing quite like it anywhere. Sounds like Versailles could get you into calligraphy!

By all means, draw in public! I've taken to carrying a notebook with me so I can jot down notes about my meal/day/whatever. It gives me something to do besides stare out the window, and judging by the glances sent my way, it makes people curious about what I might be up to. Or maybe they just think I'm weird. ;) x Katie

You are an early bird! Love les Editeurs, especially as you can watch everyone queue across the road at Le Comptoir. Never would have noticed that snazzy 'S' if you hadn't mentioned it. Cassoulet? Now that's a good idea to have in stock when you don't feel like cooking. Good stuff.

The French tradition, though I rarely follow it, and I suggest that you too not bother since it is too restrictive, is to drink café crème only in the morning. Espresso is fine anytime. I don't see the difference but if you are really trying to be French, again, I would suggest you not bother since no matter what you do the French will never really accept you, espresso after 12 is part of the set of extremely hard to follow rules. They also seem to scowl at decaf but I'm not sure of that rule. Ask one of your French friends.

How nice that they have kept the decoration of the old pool. That would offer quite an incentive to me to get into the water. I really don't like having to spend time ploughing up and down and looking at horrible bleak modern design when doing so. And the idea of a nice breakfast after is very appealing, although to be honest I think I might need some sustenance before!

After writing my mystery novel, I went to Les Editeurs. Two weeks later, after I got back home, I was accepted by a publisher! I've gone back to Les Editeurs to thank the writing Gods for bringing me good luck.

PARIS in yr Mailbox!

♥carol gillott♥

l'Ile Saint Louis, Paris, Ile de France, France

Hi I'm Carol Gillott,
My Mom taught me watercolors at 5 and I'm still at it. Now I live by the Seine on l'Ile Saint-Louis. Do consider subscribing to my Paris letters and maps on Etsy and enjoy a taste of Paris in your mailbox every month to savor with a hot chocolate and croissant. I paint Paris dreams.